Mechanic leaning over engine area with lit cigarette. Is this somewhat safe? How would you tell him not to do it?

[Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 10:45
Last edited 23/02/2019 - 10:51

Just took van in to auto electrician /mechanics shop.
Mechanic wasn't there, but auto electrics guy was.
He helped me out before cheap ($20 to come out to my vehicle, sus out why it wouldn't start, got it started, did some checks/tests once back at shop).
Today he was nice enough to say "it's not hard to do yourself" then proceeded to explain, in detail, step by step, exactly how to change air con belt. Explained my air con isn't stock, so finding correct belt will be difficult. Also checked to see if there was gas in air con, all without charge .

There was something that bothered me though. He had flipped up seat in van to reveal engine bay (and air con belt)

Hovering over engine bay with a lit cigarette

Now firstly, I'm wondering How dangerous is this? or is it reasonably safe perhaps, and this is acceptable?
For those that do mechanical work at home, or have mates that do their own car work, would you or mates have lit cigarette while your working, and think nothing of it ?

Secondly; How would you say it to him, tell him not to do it, without having him take offense and likely ruining a good relationship there?
Like with how nice he has been, I don't want to be rude. Also I don't know if it's safe or not, he's obviously been doing this a long time, who am I to tell a tradie how to do his job.

I did step back abit when he was showing me how to change air con belt myself, when I spotted the lit cigarette right there hovering over everything.

Automotive

Comments

  • gooddealmate on 23/02/2019 - 10:50
    +68

    He's probably been doing it his whole life without issue. There's only one likely outcome from your suggestion, and it probably involves a black eye. (Yours).

    Don't bother. Take your car elsewhere if it bothers you that much.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 10:54
      +2

      Take your car elsewhere if it bothers you that much.

      It's not that it bothers me "that much" . That is why I am asking those that know about cars, if this kind of thing is perfectly fine and safe .

      • Cheeper on 23/02/2019 - 11:06
        +25

        Unless you are doing something fuel or battery related (gasses) then no problem at all.
        The worst thing these days is paying a tradesman for his time and getting very sub standard work and getting charged a kings ransom for it. That does not seem to bother anyone as much as someone having a smoke though?

      • TheBilly on 23/02/2019 - 20:25
        +3

        It's perfectly safe. Unless there is a significant fuel leak you will have no problem. I had a fuel leak in the engine bay once. We removed spark plugs and turned over the ignition to spit fuel out that had flooded. After putting the plugs back in, a spark from the battery lit up the engine bay on fire. The fuel that had spilt burnt up real quick and the fire went out. Not a big deal. scary, but not life threatening.

        • brendanm on 24/02/2019 - 18:17
          +1

          The question about this is, why the hell would your battery be sparking.

          • Scrooge McDuck on 24/02/2019 - 20:31

            @brendanm: I'm thinking the distributor or alternator was the true ignition source.

          • skillet on 24/02/2019 - 23:05

            @brendanm: Well, you are in for a shock if you are installing the battery lug connectors next time.

            • brendanm on 25/02/2019 - 01:12
              +1

              @skillet: Why would they have a battery lead off if they had just been cranking the engine, changed spark plugs and had a fuel leak? I've probably had more battery leads disconnected/connected than you've had hot dinners, so no, I wouldn't be shocked.

          • TheBilly on 25/02/2019 - 13:50

            @brendanm: Socket and ratchet fell on it. slipped from hand.

            • brendanm on 25/02/2019 - 13:53

              @TheBilly: Haha I'm sure that was exciting! A welded ratchet and a fuel fire all at once.

      • brendanm on 24/02/2019 - 18:16
        +1

        Unless you have a fuel leak in the engine bay, it's completely fine. If it's a diesel you could have a fuel leak and it's still fine. I still wouldn't do it, bit I don't smoke. As above, he's probably been doing it forever, and if you don't like it, go so where else, but you will never ever find someone who will come to your house and diagnose something for $20, normal mechanics rate is $110+ an hour.

      • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 16:48
        +2

        assuming so many bad things about this person you've never met

        Uhhh , you really aren't making any sense.
        What did I "assume" ?

        Also, It is pretty damn clear I have met this guy .. LMAO xD

        • chriise on 25/02/2019 - 10:35
          +1

          I think they were replying to the 'black eye' comment

    • magic8ballgag on 24/02/2019 - 08:39
      +3

      There's only one likely outcome from your suggestion, and it probably involves a black eye. (Yours).

      You say that as if it's an appropriate reaction to someone asking them that question.

  • poohduck on 23/02/2019 - 10:51
    +10

    Just leave him be. He definitely has knowledge and experience. He knows the dangers (as with smoking alone) and has made his decisions. But really, I don't think there is much chance of an explosion. You can smell fuel if it is about, just like you can smell gas. And a lot of us live with gas in our homes and light things - candles for example. Gas hot water and gas heaters even have a pilot light which isn't that good if your stove is leaking :(

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 10:56

      Yes, that makes sense. I know it is the gas fumes off petrol that are most flamable.
      I was more concerned of the bit off the end of cigarette falling down into engine bay and igniting something.

      • Never Pay RRP on 24/02/2019 - 21:38

        I'd imagine that if he dropped a cigarette into your car and ignited something (which is unlikely), you would get a new car out of the situation.

  • qwerty on 23/02/2019 - 11:00
    +2

    Flash point of motor oil means probably not unless the engine heated it up first

  • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 11:05

    Is the vehicle carburetted or fuel injected?

    Diesel or petrol?

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 16:50

      It is petrol.
      I have had oil leaks before. Seems fairly common in old vehicles to have a bit of oil round in engine bay area.
      Not sure if oil would light up from cigarette embers ?

      • [Deactivated] on 24/02/2019 - 11:41
        +3

        Absolutely impossible
        Motor Oil burns at astronomical temperature

        Representative liquids and their approximate flash points are:

        automotive gasoline, −43 °C (−45 °F)
        ethyl alcohol, 13 °C (55 °F)
        automotive diesel fuel, 38 °C (100 °F)
        kerosene, 42–72 °C (108–162 °F)
        home heating oil, 52–96 °C (126–205 °F)
        SAE 10W-30 motor oil, 216 °C (421 °F)

  • Diji1 on 23/02/2019 - 11:05

    I don't think it's dangerous at all, there's no seal between what's underneath the engine cover and the outside world right?

    Possibly there could be issues with smell but most likely not if the doors are open which I assume they would be.

  • JimmyF on 23/02/2019 - 12:21
    +2

    I did step back abit when he was showing me how to change air con belt myself, when I spotted the lit cigarette right there hovering over everything.

    You watch way too many movies…. Its not going to burst into flames!

  • whooah1979 on 23/02/2019 - 12:48
    +7

    Hovering over engine bay with a lit cigarette
    Now firstly, I'm wondering How dangerous is this?

    Smoking may cause second-hand cancer.

  • Euphemistic on 23/02/2019 - 12:56
    +1

    Its probably not that dangerous, but being in a van I’d ask him as politely as possible to not smoke in my van. Under the bonnet in a regular vehicle (is outside it) it wouldn’t worry me as much.

    • whooah1979 on 23/02/2019 - 13:03

      It sounds like OP owns an Hicace. Any ashes from the cigarette would fall on the floor through the engine bay.

      • pegaxs on 23/02/2019 - 13:10
        +7

        Cleaning the ash is the least of the issues. Getting the stink of cigarette out of the vehicle after some butthole has smoked in it is near impossible.

        • whooah1979 on 23/02/2019 - 13:43
          -1

          "i love the smell of napalm smoke in the morning"
          https://youtu.be/1L2qXzMS9Tg?t=10

        • field1985 on 24/02/2019 - 14:31

          I'd recommend you use Vanish Preen Odour Neutraliser. A light misting works a treat to get rid of odours in a car. Have used it countless times and never had an issue returning hire cars that have been smoked in (not by me! my ex… but that's another story). It's saved me $100's in cleaning deposits.

          • pegaxs on 24/02/2019 - 15:05
            -1

            @field1985: I recommend asking the mechanic to please not smoke in my vehicle. :)

            And I posted a deal for air fresheners for cars the other day, and it just filled up with comments about “cancer”… But I’ll keep it in mind. Cheers.

          • [Deactivated] on 01/04/2019 - 19:55
            -1

            @field1985:

            cars that have been smoked in (not by me! my ex..)

            Well done on dumping him/her. Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray 🤢 Also, secondhand smoke is an occupational carcinogen. It is estimated that secondhand smoke exposure causes more than 7,300 lung cancer deaths among adult nonsmokers each year.

    • josetann on 23/02/2019 - 13:07
      +1

      Politely mention that if your partner smells cigarette smoke, it'll end in an argument with you being accused of an affair. But otherwise…I wouldn't say anything. Want to save a few bucks? Put up with the guy doing you a solid.

      As for danger, it's more dangerous to smoke while refueling, which isn't THAT dangerous (for liability reasons, ignore that last statement I made). I mean, it IS dangerous, but if it was as dangerous as tv shows/movies make it out to be we'd all be dead from the constant explosions.

  • outlander on 23/02/2019 - 13:14
    +2

    1. Practically a non issue. Notice how when you fill up at the servo, you do it at the back and not by the engine? The main fire risk is the fuel, and thats stored far away from the engine for good reason. Its more of a risk that the ash falls somewhere it might cause problems, like in the oil resourvoir, than make anything explode. It could happen, but you'd be reaching into the one in a million cases.

    2. Nice way is to blame it on someone else. "Do you mind leaving the cigarette outside? I don't want to be a prick about it, but my girlfriend is allergic to cigarette smoke. She's really sensitive to it. It makes her start coughing if she smells it"

    3. Can you share this guys name? I think his good nature is wasted on you, and you'd be much happier with someone who looked the part, charged you heaps and was patronizing when it came to explaining the problem.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/04/2019 - 19:57

      Can you share this guys name?

      He's in syd. A bit of a drive for us :(

  • dcep on 23/02/2019 - 13:18
    +6

    Yes it's dangerous, you've just inhaled 2nd hand smoke and the carcinogen is now building up in your body ready to spawn in a few years.

    No danger to your van. It won't blow up like Hollywood movies.

  • Goodiemite on 23/02/2019 - 13:28

    what's dangerous is the ignorance & paranoid of safety.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 21:13
      -4

      what's dangerous is the ignorance & paranoid of safety illiteracy and dangerously poor grammar

      • Marble250 on 24/02/2019 - 14:23

        Good with grammar…not so big on intestinal fortitude!

        By the way, you can put out a bumper in engine oil and unless he's working on a "hot" vehicle there would be no inflammable petrol vapour present…..things that a pro would know….why didn't you just ask him????

        • Daabido on 25/02/2019 - 18:35
          +1

          Inflammable means flammable? What a country!
          https://youtu.be/Q8mD2hsxrhQ

          I know there is a difference.

          • Marble250 on 26/02/2019 - 12:13

            @Daabido: LOL, great reference!
            Yeah looks wrong, but ..all petrol vapour could be be considered flammable, but in some cases it's not - considering the vapour-pressure, containment and the possible ignition source.
            The word flammable may be a redundancy, but the descriptor "inflammable", in this case, is meant to refer to the "situation" with the potential ignition source and any vapour which may be present.
            In other words, there may be flammable vapour present, but it can't be ignited with the possible ignition source.

  • pegaxs on 23/02/2019 - 13:28
    +3

    Now firstly, I'm wondering How dangerous is this?

    Unless there is fuel leaking everywhere, then it isn't "dangerous". Stupid, dirty, disgusting? yes. Dangerous? no.

    is it reasonably safe perhaps

    "reasonably safe", yes. Most of the parts in an engine bay are designed to be very hot. things like fuel and oil are sealed for the best part.

    and this is acceptable?

    No, most workshops have a no-smoking policy in place.

    For those that do mechanical work at home, or have mates that do their own car work, would you or mates have lit cigarette while your working, and think nothing of it?

    Me, no. Mates? Yes, because most of them are morons.

    How would you say it to him, tell him not to do it, without having him take offense and likely ruining a good relationship there?

    Be polite. Just ask. Don't use bold or caps or get all offended. Most people are reasonable people if spoken to politely. Just ask calmly and politely. "'Scuze me dude, can I just get you to not smoke while inside my car? Thanks."

    Like with how nice he has been, I don't want to be rude. Also I don't know if it's safe or not, he's obviously been doing this a long time, who am I to tell a tradie how to do his job.

    You're not telling them how to do their job, you're just asking that they don't smoke inside your vehicle. He probably did it without thinking. Being polite, they would probably apologise and not do it again.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/02/2019 - 14:18

      Don't use bold or caps…

      What about jv?

      Best to always assume a fuel leak, which can ignite, and then ignite other related leaks along the chain to the tank which EXPLODES together with the gas bottle in the boot and then a bunny nearby ignites which runs off to the petrol station nearby and jumps on some guy refueling in another forum thread which causes that vehicle to EXPLODE which leads to the fire department being called and then the fire truck arrives at which point the main station storage tank EXPLODES leading to all the fireman igniting and start running around giving a whole new meaning to the word 'fireman' and then, umm…

  • AdosHouse on 23/02/2019 - 13:38
    +1

    Your exhaust manifold gets to hundreds of degrees when the engine is warm, but you think a cigarette is dangerous?

    • skillet on 24/02/2019 - 23:07

      Hot turbo.

  • Nugs on 23/02/2019 - 15:47
    +2

    the guy who fitted LPG to my car would smoke when checking for leaks… obviously confident in his own work
    .

  • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 16:57

    This is my van he was smoking in.
    Pic is from when I had previous auto electric issues and he helped me out

    https://imgur.com/a/g6EcN2G

    • whooah1979 on 23/02/2019 - 17:46
      +4

      Say his name.

      • maxyzee on 25/02/2019 - 11:37
        +1

        Heisenberg

  • PinzVidz on 23/02/2019 - 18:43
    +3

    Haha, mechanic by trade here. I started as a trade assistant in 1988, and then apprentice in 1989. All the techs/apprentices including myself had ciggies hanging out of our mouths while doing head gaskets and whatever else on shitbox EA Falcons. Common sense (ironically?) dictated when to and when not to smoke. Working with fuel systems, batteries or working in the cabin/test driving was about the only time we didn't smoke. Gave up ciggies and turning spanners many years ago…

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 21:11
      +2

      Thanks for the info. Congrats on giving up the ciggies mate.
      Common sense unfortunately isn't so common these days. I wouldn't be surprised if there are case when people have been working on cars and gone near fuel line, and it hasn't turned out too well.

      • Seiko on 24/02/2019 - 21:26
        +2

        Bemoaning the lack of common sense and yet you start this thread?

        Even if you could smell petrol it takes a very very specific air fuel ratio for it to ignite.

  • BertieBrown on 23/02/2019 - 19:39
    +2

    Hey Chewie, don’t worry too much about it from the mechanical aspect of things as smoking around engines isn’t really going to be much of an issue unless he’s contacting flammable materials, and if he’s been around this long it’s unlikely he’ll blow himself up. Lots of trades involved smokers working with hazardous combustible materials over the years, just due to the historic widespread nature of smoking culture.

    As to smoking in the car, well that’s a little trickier, as tobacco residue can stick to absorbent surfaces, and may build up as a film, but, generally I understand it’s only an issue in long-term smoker residences or vehicles, and generally you can tell because it will reek of tobacco. My thinking is that for the limited time he’s in the vehicle smoking isn’t likely to be a significant health risk because of the degree of exposure to the carcinogens within the smoke itself, and also he’s probably got a window open etc.

    Generally, these days I’d suggest that the culture of workplace smoking is diminishing, but for instance my local mech smokes, but it’s not a prob for me as the car never smells of smoke when it’s picked up, and he’s never smoking where I’m directly inhaling second degree vapours.

    My thinking would be, if he’s a really good mechanic, then the risk of the tobacco is outweighed by his work, and it’s probably unlikely to be a major issue going forward. That’s just me.

    At any rate, I hope that helps :) It’s a fair enough question though.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2019 - 21:04

      Thanks very much for the advice and info.
      I know nothing about cars, so just genuinely wondering if I was in danger standing next to him with cigarettes near oil and grease and engine.

      Seems it is very safe. I'm sure it is against OH&S . But that's not my concern.

      If it was dangerous I would probably still go to him, but I would just be sure to stand back a bit further lol.
      Thanks

  • Ken1977 on 24/02/2019 - 08:38

    If I threw my cigarette into an open container of petrol it would go out. I've seen it done before. I would be confident in saying there would be no danger at all.

    • brendanm on 24/02/2019 - 18:22
      +1

      Lol what? Are you sure it wasn't diesel? If petrol, the vapours coming off it would have been ignited by the cigarette before it hits the liquid fuel.

  • VictimEqualsProfit on 24/02/2019 - 09:11
    +1

    Pretty sure he's the expert and you are the layperson.

  • doctordv8 on 24/02/2019 - 09:13

    Like any situation, if there is a fuel source, and an ignition source there is a risk. If your vehicle …any vehicle is safe, legal, unmodified, in good condition and in good working order meaning Roadworthy as well, ….no fuel sources leaking or present for any other reason, then it is as safe as can be expected….pending the unknown. There are many sources of ignition and fuel in an engine bay…..but the conditions must be compatible fora fire or worse.

  • FAIL on 24/02/2019 - 09:19
    +2

    Maybe that's how he tests for fuel leaks 🤣

  • panorama on 24/02/2019 - 10:45
    +1

    How does anyone afford to smoke anymore, oh thats right he charges you for a few extra packets every service

  • the Unforgiven on 24/02/2019 - 10:55
    +3

    I used to do it all the time when I was a mechanic, you can put ash on the motor & it gets blown away later, better than flicking ash in the van :)

    It does not matter if you have a diesel or petrol van, it cannot catch fire, there is nothing to set it on fire with as ash is too cold to ignite anything. I remember a story a mate of mine told me at apprenticeship school. He used to work at the docks & they used to wash parts up in petrol like all mechanics do, petrol was cheap then & it did a really good job at it. He told me the mechanics at the wharf used to flick ash into the petrol! It never caught fire, if you were quick. He also told me some mad mechanics, no such thing :), used to throw their smokes in the petrol to put the cigarette out when they finished smoking it; he said you have to be quick to do it though :) warning: kids, do not try this at home please, you should not be smoking anyway, it will eventually kill you; why pay good money to a company to slowly kill you!

    It is not the petrol that will cause the ignition, it is the vapour just above the petrol that will ignite, then the petrol will follow. The wharfie mechanic threw their smoke into the petrol on windy days. Still don't try this at home kids. This is just like water vapour on clothes. You hang the clothes out on a windy day & the water vapour gets blown away by the wind & the water vapour gets replaced by the water from your wet clothes until it is all dry. Think of it this way, your arm is the wet clothes & the hairs on your arm is the water vapour sitting just above, blow your arm & the water in the hairs get blown away (evaporation) & the water gets replenished by the body until the body is out of water, then your arm is dry. I hope everyone liked today's science lesson, in 'why is it so? :)

  • field1985 on 24/02/2019 - 14:17
    +2

    It is not dangerous at all. It is impossible to light petrol with a cigarette (but the cigarette lighter certainly can). Try it yourself.

    "The experiments conducted for this study consisted of 70 distinct tests involving a total of 723 cigarettes and over 4,500 instances of exposure of a lit cigarette to ignitable concentrations of gasoline vapor in air. There were no instances of the ignition of gasoline vapors from the exposure of those vapors to a lit tobacco cigarette during any of the experiments."

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271921785_The_Prope…

  • try2bhelpful on 24/02/2019 - 14:25

    Probably not very dangerous and, if it does go up, then you will have a good You Tube video.

  • KSMLJ on 24/02/2019 - 15:44
    +1

    It's only dangerous if you are living in a Michael Bay movie.

  • reactor-au on 24/02/2019 - 16:25

    Did you tell him smoking can kill you?

  • Lockieasy on 24/02/2019 - 20:24

    Just find the nearest hose and spray him in the face with it.

  • Dreamcast on 24/02/2019 - 21:38

    Tell him you're a smoker yourself, but the missus doesn't know, so you don't smoke in the van. Otherwise she'll murder you (bikies), if she smells smoke . For that reason, ask him not to smoke.

  • DarkOz on 24/02/2019 - 22:17

    I was told by my wife not to use my mobile phone in the car while she is filling up the car outside. Apparently she "heard" that "someone" sparked a petrol fire doing so. I laughed and told her that it can't happen and I even offered to keep the doors closed so the spark won't fly outside. She insisted that I would not touch my mobile phone at all. I had to oblige…

    • HeWhoKnows on 24/02/2019 - 22:36

      There are signs are servos warning you of this. Dont laugh!

      • brad1-8tsi on 25/02/2019 - 08:13

        Those signs are for the person with the fuel nozzle in their hand. Not for passengers in the car.

  • HeWhoKnows on 24/02/2019 - 22:35

    Id say OP needs to mind his own business.
    I think the mechanic knows what he is doing.
    Im sure OP would not appreciate people telling him how to do his job.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2019 - 01:33

      Im sure OP would not appreciate people telling him how to do his job.

      I think you need to learn to read, before spouting such ignorant troll comments directed at others.

      I very clearly stated in my original post, "who am I to tell a tradie how to do his job." .

      So how tf do you develop such a rant in your mind, when I clearly stated that I do not want to "tell a tradie how to do his job"

      Id say OP needs to mind his own business.

      I'd say you need to think before you post such nonsense.

      I asked a question

      To not ask what one doesn't know, only leads to the proliferation of ignorance!

      • HeWhoKnows on 27/02/2019 - 16:23
        -1

        Because YOU asked the question here
        Its the Fact you questioned the mechanic's competence
        AND DONT BE SO RUDE!

        HOW DARE YOU!

        • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2019 - 00:55

          Because YOU asked the question here
          Its the Fact you questioned the mechanic's competence

          So according to YOU, nobody should ask questions ever.

          I did not question anyones competence.

          It is YOU who are being RUDE troll.

          Go troll someone else with your nonsensical rant.

          How DARE YOU TROLL ME !

          Smfh.

  • KingJuf on 25/02/2019 - 01:41

    I would say he felt comfortable enough with you and he was kinda doing you a favour showing you how to fix it but there is potential for damage if the end of the cigarette did fall in the bay it could cause damage to piping and/or wiring.

    Considering he was doing you a favour I would leave it at that as its unlikely anything serious would occur if something did fall into the bay.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2019 - 01:50

      I did "leave it at that"

      Was just asking a question of how safe it was. As I mentioned already, if it was unsafe, I would just stand back further if it happens again.

      Seems from information provided, there is nothing flammable in engine bay, so perfectly safe. Good to know.

      • KingJuf on 25/02/2019 - 08:21
        +1

        Well the fuel lines, injectors and depending on what car sometimes fuel filter are in the engine bay. But even. With that the end of a cigarette is not really going to ignite unless it was a spark from a lighter.

  • brad1-8tsi on 25/02/2019 - 08:11
    +1

    From a safety perspective it's fine unless you have a fuel leak and even then the risk is minimal. When I did my apprenticeship the boss would clean parts in a 2 litre pan of MEK with a lit smoke in his mouth. We all used to find something to do at the other end of the workshop. He never caught on fire once and he was an alcoholic, so he would have burned well.

    The bit that would shit me is that he's smoking in your van / leaning over the upholstery (assuming its a van with the engine under the seats). That's wrong.

    I'd deal with it by saying that the smoke affects my asthma.

    • Ken1977 on 26/02/2019 - 11:05

      MEK is not good for you at all. Not a good idea to be washing parts and breathing in the fumes. I had to tell an apprentice mechanic not to taste coolant, He tried to tell me it tastes horrible, that's how he can tell the difference between water condensation and coolant. I told him they actually put that horrible taste in their so people don't think its green cordial. Normally it's very sweet.

      • brad1-8tsi on 27/02/2019 - 09:12

        I know about the dangers of MEK (now). My boss at the time (1979-1982) had no regard for safety and probably wasn't the brightest fellow (alcoholic, lots of exposure to chemicals, 40 cigarettes a day). Safety Data Sheets weren't generally available and if they were I doubt we would have paid too much attention. There wasn't a great deal of safety culture or training back then. As a 17 year old who was endlessly harassed and bullied you tried to keep your head down and not make waves.

        I'm more concerned about all the asbestos dust I was exposed to. tick tick tick

  • Herbse on 25/02/2019 - 10:34

    Never going back and telling whoever asks for mechanic recommendations to avoid them is the best thing you can do for their lack of professionalism

  • MementoMori on 25/02/2019 - 11:01

    If he is a good, honest mechanic then overall this is fine. It's his risk, similar to a cyclist that doesn't wear a helmet.

    Unsure why it bothers you at all.

  • sapsec on 25/02/2019 - 11:38

    He is a nice guy that has helped you out at very little or no cost. He knows what he knows what he is doing, don't insult him by telling him not to smoke, he is an old school kind of guy. Don't say anything and appreciate his kindness

  • trapper on 25/02/2019 - 12:38

    There may be a risk of ash dropping.

  • DonWilson on 25/02/2019 - 14:14

    Even if you lit an entire pack on fire all along their length at once and threw them all into the engine bay the biggest problem would be fishing what remains of them out later.

  • This Guy on 25/02/2019 - 15:14

    Not an issue unless there was a fuel leak.

    It is poor form to smoke in your client's car/van.

    It is far ruder to complain when he is giving you a freeby

    If he upset you, go somewhere else next time.

  • diceman99 on 25/02/2019 - 15:22

    Its his mechanic shop, he can do what he likes.
    If you dont like him smoking under the bonnet take your car elsewhere.
    I would think you could ask him not to smoke in the car.
    From safety aspect, oil would be impossible to ignite with cigarette
    I would think petrol would be near impossible to light with cigarette. A cigarette lighter may be able to ignite petrol fumes.

  • pformag on 25/02/2019 - 16:52

    One issue is your aircon might smell like cigarettes.

  • MessyG on 25/02/2019 - 19:37

    The best mechanic I ever had did this. I never bothered him about it, he did an amazing job with my car until he died of lung cancer. Not even joking. He sounds like a good mechanic, don't police the thing that's keeping him going. The bigger risk is to himself and he probably knows that.

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